No. 92 Squadron RAF
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| No. 92 Squadron | |
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| Active | 1917 (RFC) |
| Garrison/HQ | RAF Chivenor |
No. 92 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was a fighter squadron which was formed as part of the Royal Flying Corps in 1917, became part of the RAF on its formation on 1st April 1918 and initially disbanded in 1919. During the Squadron's World War I operational career they flew SE5as over the Western Front.
Following the outbreak of World War II 92 Squadron reformed in October 1939 at RAF Tangmere. During its WWII career it flew Bristol Blenheims and various marks of Supermarine Spitfires. 92 Squadron first saw action over the Dunkirk evacuation beaches. During the latter stages of the Battle of Britain 92 Squadron flew from RAF Biggin Hill. The Squadron was the first into action on September 15th 1940, now known as Battle of Britain Day. In 1942 92 Squadron was posted to North Africa as part of the Desert Air Force. 92 Squadron provided air cover at the Battle of El Alamein and following the Allied victory in North Africa the Squadron went on to provide air cover for 8th Army in both the Sicilian and Italian campaigns. During World War II the Squadron became the highest scoring fighter unit in the RAF. Following cessation of hostilities, 92 Squadron was disbanded in Austria but was reformed almost immediately back in the UK as part of Fighter Command.
Post war it flew Gloster Meteors, North American Sabres, Hawker Hunters, English Electric Lightnings, McDonnell Douglas Phantoms and BAe Hawks. The squadron disbanded finally in 1994 whilst flying the BAe Hawk at RAF Chivenor. In the early 1960s the Squadron was chosen as Fighter Command's official aerobatic squadron and adopted the name The Blue Diamonds. With its bright blue painted Hawker Hunters 92 thrilled the crowds with its precision display including looping a formation of 16 aircraft - still a record to this day.
In 1950 Battle of Britain Class steam locomotive 34081 was named 92 Squadron. This locomotive was saved from the scrapyard in 1976 and is now owned and operated by The Battle of Britain Locomotive Society http://www.92squadron.co.uk and is currently based on the North Norfolk Railway http://www.nnr.co.uk
